Letter: Medicaid oversight ensures integrity

I would like to applaud The Gazette for reminding us how important it is to ensure the needs of Iowans and their health care are carefully met in its April 8 article 'House Republicans unveil Medicaid oversight plan.”

Senators voted in support of a government oversight plan to closely monitor private companies managing Iowa's multibillion dollar Medicaid system. An oversight plan will hold companies accountable for ensuring health care services are distributed to Iowans in a more accessible form. This is especially evident for people who may be unaware of the full coverage that Medicaid allows. Iowans who are taking care of family members may use health care services from private companies. The oversight plan ensures that these private companies maintain integrity and considerations for all Iowans' health.

The diagram of how the new Medicaid system works provides a helpful educational piece to Iowans. I appreciate this educational initiative as a means for educating the community. It raises another question about the unclear picture of what the current system is and how people in the community need to be informed. With the changes to the Medicaid system and an oversight initiative, it is important for people to be educated about their health care.

I urge readers to be informed about their Medicaid eligibility and for them to understand the role that private companies have on their health care services.

Eric Moy

Iowa City